The Greek Educational System

The educational system in Greece is mainly characterized by its versatile character, which is ordained by the numerous laws and decrees of the Greek Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs. Over the years, the Ministry in question has made significant changes to the education system, most of which were mandated by the wish of each government to adopt recent scientific findings and acclaimed education models of other countries in the world. Adapting state-of-the-art research in the field of education, as well as foreign education practices to meet the needs of the Greek society and labor market has resulted in a multilayered education system, which caters for all students in the country. Most students in Greece attend public schools of all levels, for which there are no tuition fees, while less than 10% of the student population enrolls in private schools.(source: Paideia-Ergasia.gr - for further resources see The Greek Educational System)

Education in Greece is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 15. The education system is divided into Early Education and Care for children up to the age of 6; Primary Education for schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 12, Secondary Education for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18, Higher Education for those wishing to attend university courses, and, finally, Lifelong Learning, which caters for adult students of all ages.

Early Education and Care

In Greece there are Daycare Centers which provide children up to the age of 5 with pre-school education. The last stage of pre-school education is carried out in Kindergarten Schools, where young students take preparatory courses just before enrolling in primary/elementary schools.

Primary Education

Primary Schools welcome children of the age of 6. Some of these schools are termed “Experimental”, as they carry out experimental education practices, and are supervised by university departments specializing in pedagogics and primary education. There are also primary schools which cater for students with physical or mental impairment, or special needs. In all three types of primary schools, students learn basic skills in a number of subjects, like Language Reading and Writing, Environmental Studies, Maths, English. Primary Schools in Greece operate between 8am and 1pm, while the majority of those offer extra classes on Physical Education, Art and Music until 4pm.

Secondary Education

All students graduating from primary education must attend courses in a Junior High School. There are several types of Junior High Schools. A student may attend the Junior High School which is located in his neighborhood, or he/she may be admitted to an Experimental Junior High School through a lottery system. Students who have a special interest in painting, drama, dancing or music may attend a Junior High School that specializes in the field. There are also Junior High Schools which address students from a multicultural background, as well as students with special needs. Most Junior High Schools operate from 8am to 2pm, but there are also evening schools that operate from 7pm till 10pm for students – mainly adults – who work during daytime. A variety of subjects are taught in Junior High Schools, including Modern and Ancient Greek Language, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Music and Art, while special emphasis is given to foreign language learning, as students are taught both English and another European language of their choice (students tend to choose between French and German). Students take exams in all subjects at the end of each school year.

Although upper level Secondary Education is not compulsory in Greece, most students attend High School. At this level, students may opt to attend a General High School or an Experimental High School (mainly for graduates of Experimental Junior High Schools) or any High School specializing in music or the arts. Students from foreign countries may attend a Multicultural High School, while there are Special Vocational Education & Training Institutes for students with special needs. Students may also pursue vocational training in Vocational High Schools, or, once they are 16, they may enroll in a Vocational Evening High School and graduate after 4 years of study. In addition, there are Vocational Training Schools; in these schools, as well as in all Vocational High Schools students attend general education courses combined with workplace courses. At the final stage of his/her studies, a student may work as an apprentice and gain valuable work experience.

High Schools offer a combination of General Education courses and Advanced Placement courses. Students who wish to pursue studies in Higher Education take Panhellenic exams in a specific number of Advanced Placement courses which fall into one of the following categories: Humanities, Science, Technology. This is considered to be a tough and highly competitive exam process that students go through in order to ensure education at a higher level.

Higher Education

Greece has a high number of university graduates. Most of them attend four-year studies in University departments and in Technological University departments, as well as in the various departments of the School of Pedagogical and Technological Education, while those attending Technical University departments – specializing in fields like architecture and engineering – graduate after five years of studies. Students who wish to enroll in the School of Fine Arts take special exams, and graduate after five years of studies. Courses in Higher Education institutes in Greece take the form of either lectures or workshops, and most of the courses spread over one semester. Most university departments in Greece offer one-year or two-year postgraduate courses, as well as the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree. Students may also enroll in the Hellenic Open University for graduate or postgraduate studies, where they pay tuition fees and where they are admitted through an annual lottery system.

Lifelong Learning in Greece takes place in Lifelong Learning centers which are usually supervised by Municipality services. These centers offer a variety of courses, aiming at both formal and informal education. On the other hand, Vocational Training Institutes and Vocational Training Schools often adapt their curriculum to suit the needs of their adult students and of the labor market. Finally, Second Chance Adult Education Schools cater for those students who have dropped out of school at some point in their life, but wish to continue with their studies at a later date.

Text by Despina-Alexandra Constantinides,2014-2015 Fulbright participant in the Study of the United States Institutes program,Teachers Institute for Secondary School Educators at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.